Guidance Office

Welcome to the Guidance Department and Career Center

Philosophy

Guidance
services are an integral part of the school program. It is the
philosophy of the Jim Thorpe Area High School Guidance Department to
provide comprehensive guidance and counseling services responding to the
developmental needs of high school students in the areas of personal
& social growth, academic performance and post-secondary
education/vocational planning. The program also recognizes the unique
qualities of each individual student and provides them with
opportunities to acquire or improve competencies in the areas of school
adjustment and achievement, career planning and exploration, decision
making and knowledge of self and others. The staff is committed to
assisting each individual in attaining self-understanding and the skills
and strategies needed to become life-long learners. The staff
recognizes the dignity and worth of all students and their right to
personalized educational services, as well as a confidential
environment. The Guidance Department is dedicated to creating a
collaborative partnership with students, parents, teachers and
administrators. The collaboration and mutual support of these groups is
essential in the development of the educational process. An effective
counseling program is important to our school climate and a crucial
element in improving student achievement and overall well-being.

Staff

The
Jim Thorpe Area High School guidance staff consists of two full-time
certified counselors for grades 9-12 and a full-time guidance administrative assistant.
Our counselors are professional school counselors who meet the state
certification standards and abide by state laws. The guidance administrative assistant is extremely experienced in the policies and procedures of guidance
practices. To assure high quality practices, our counselors are
committed to continued professional growth and personal development.
They are actively involved in professional organizations that foster and
promote school counseling at the local, state and national levels. They
uphold the ethical and professional standards of these associations and
promote the development of the school counseling profession.

Jim Thorpe Area School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability in admission to its programs, services, or activities, in access to them, in treatment of individuals, or in any aspect of their operations. The lack of English language skills shall not be a barrier to admission or participation in the district’s activities and programs. Jim Thorpe Area School District also does not discriminate in its hiring or employment practices.